Concrete makes a home fashion statement

People are pouring on the creativity and using concrete in new ways inside their homes. This durable material can reflect personal style and need not remain a cold, utilitarian, sidewalk gray. New decorative treatments can emulate a modern or rustic aesthetic, whether the concrete is an existing slab or has been freshly poured.

Portland Cement AssociationToday, decorative concrete has worked its way up from the floor and proved its worth as a striking and low-maintenance countertop material.

Concrete is one of the most widely used substances on earth, second only to water, with billions of cubic yards produced every year. It is made of cement and aggregates such as sand and gravel. The chemical reaction of the cement and water causes the concrete to harden.

Many Shades Not Gray

Decorative concrete can be made to resemble stonework, woodwork or brickwork, said Jamie Farny of the Portland Cement Association, based in Skokie, Ill. (cement.org).

"There’s a raw beauty to concrete and a rustic honesty of material that appeals to homeowners," he said. "Concrete works with many styles, whether a home has a contemporary or a farmhouse appeal."

Using decorative treatments to update up a concrete floor makes the material desirable for people seeking greener building options, Farny explained. Acid-staining is one answer for those who want to color an existing concrete surface. After thoroughly cleaning the cured concrete, a contractor uses acid to dissolve metallic shavings, which leave color deposits that become a permanent part of the concrete.

"A concrete acid stain can create a mottled, variegated, stone-like look - which has mostly earth-tone browns, reddish browns and greens - with the color varying from one area to the next," Farny said.

Textural Effects

After acid-staining the concrete to give it color, a certified contractor can use a special saw to score or engrave patterns into the surface. The carved-out sections remain uncolored, which creates a geo-metric design or the illusion of grout lines.

Farny said concrete floors in new construction also can be cost-effective, since it can be poured on grade. Texture can be achieved by stamping patterns into wet concrete. Colorants then can be spread over the top so floors can emulate stones, bricks or wooden planks.

Homeowners can have their newly-poured concrete personalized, or customized to fit a color scheme, by placing stones or pieces of glass into it.

"Terrazzo is essentially a thin layer of colored materials - marble, quartz or glass - set into concrete," Farny said. "After it dries, the surface is ground to expose the colored layer, leaving a smooth, polished floor."

A concrete floor doesn’t have to be cold, either. Before it is poured, the homeowners can have radiant heating tubes installed underneath. This can even serve as the primary heating and cooling system in a house.

Above and Beyond

The use of concrete also is moving upward into kitchen and bathroom countertops. When you’re adding these to an existing house, however, consult a structural engineer to make sure that your floors can support the additional weight.

The shape of a concrete countertop need be limited only by space constraints and a homeowner’s imagination.

"If you want a kidney-shaped countertop in your kitchen, you can easily have it custom-made with concrete," Farny said. "You can have shells from your vacation permanently set into your concrete bathroom countertop."

Concrete should be sealed with epoxy or urethane, which can be done immediately after an acid stain or scoring treatment. Stamped concrete requires, on average, 28 days to cure before it is sealed.

After sealing, a natural carnauba wax will bring out the shine in a concrete floor or counter. Regular maintenance includes keeping it free of sand or any other gritty, abrasive material. Use a broom or a slightly damp mop or dishrag - with a pH-balanced cleaner - for regular upkeep.

Farny said the nature of concrete is that it eventually will crack.

"A good contractor uses the correct mix for the job, makes sure the concrete is poured and laid properly, and knows where to place joints to control and disguise where it cracks," he noted. "Make sure your decorative concrete contractor is reputable and well-versed in the art and science of the material."